Now, one year on, the sculptor Emanuel Santos has updated the bust — but is it an improvement?

The Cristiano Ronaldo do-over. Bleacher Report / screenshot

Sports website Bleacher Report challenged Santos to unveil the second bust on the one year anniversary of his first, universally derided, attempt. It was a challenge Santos accepted — and the sculptor is delighted with the finished product.

"The [first] one of Ronaldo I made, if I hadn't done it the way I did, it would've been forgotten a long time ago. So, sometimes it's necessary to have a certain bravery to go against the usual and have an impact.

"Even though there are people who mock and make negative comments there are still many people who value it. And what I've learned through all this time is that no matter how few people can see the positive side of the work there are enough to give us strength."

Santos' updated bust is a more polished version with a greater likeness to its subject — Ronaldo.